Detroit Links: Chrysler CEO gives commencement speech, Salvation Army encourages random acts of kindness, east side landlord shot to death

View full sizeAP PhotoFiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne talks during the shareholders meeting of Fiat Group at the Lingotto Fiat headquarters in Turin, Italy, Turin, Wednesday, March 30, 2011.

Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne told graduates at the University of Toledo Sunday to keep all options open. Marchionne, who also served as CEO of the Auburn Hills-based automaker’s partner Fiat SpA, gave a commencement address at the university. It was during a visit to Toledo in August to tour a Jeep plant with Vice President Joe Biden that the subject of speaking at commencement first came up. [DetNews]

Some random acts of kindness that took place involved hundreds of volunteers painting 300 fire hydrants along 8 Mile, picked up trash, planted flowers and added some curb appeal to a few businesses on the way. They were with the Eight Mile Boulevard Association's 16th annual “Clean the D” campaign, which focused on the 27-mile corridor between I-94 and I-275. [Freep]

Another focus this weekend was on missing persons. Federal agents and State Police were on hand Saturday at Ford Field for the first annual “Michigan Missing Person's Day.” It was designed to help family members who are searching for lost loved ones. Participants were able to give DNA samples and connect with others who truly understand their pain and their hope. [Fox 2]

Police are hoping to find a suspect they believe killed a landlord of an apartment building on Detroit's east side. Witnesses said 26-year-old Greg McNichols was outside of his apartment building on Bennitau arguing with a woman. A man then drove up to McNichols and opened fire on him. [ClickDetroit]

Plymouth-Canton is opening plans to share teachers with private schools this fall. The school district got the idea from Livonia Public Schools, which has had its teachers make up for declining enrollment by leading elective classes at local private schools. Under the "share time" program, the district gets the private school's per-pupil funding for that class and keeps its teachers employed. Plymouth-Canton plans to try the program this fall, starting with parochial schools that Livonia has been serving. [DetNews]